Can't connect multiple systems to PC.

[switzcheez]

I've had 6 capture cards for awhile. 2 of the earlier model with no sound. 4 of the newer with sound.

The only way I've found that I can hook them up to my PC and have them working is 2 plugged into a USB hub card. 2 plugged into a USB hub. And 2 plugged into another USB hub.

If 3 or more is plugged into one of them they will start to flicker and cut out. And the third won't even show up.

Now I can only get 4 to show up, 2 won't connect no matter what I do.

How do people power multiple of these off one USB hub? I've seen people running 16 systems, but when I comment on their posts asking how they got the USB to work I get ignored or down voted on reddit. I just want to know how to make them actually work so I can actually shiny hunt.

[Elysium]

2 plugged into a USB hub card. 2 plugged into a USB hub. And 2 plugged into another USB hub.

Seems like you already know how? Your USB PCIe card probably only has one USB host controller. DS capture cards are USB 2 devices, so they're limited to USB 2.0 limits. Three capture cards are probably too much for one controller. You can check how many you have with USB Device Tree Viewer. It's at the bottom of the FAQ https://3dscapture.com/faq.html

I've seen some of your other posts and one issue could be not enough power. You may need hubs that are powered externally, especially if you are connecting other devices to the same hub as your capture cards like a cameras, audio interfaces, HDMI capture cards, etc. Ideally disconnected them if you're not using them, though.

How do people power multiple of these off one USB hub? I've seen people running 16 systems

Multiple USB PCIe cards like the PEXUSB3S44V. On that model specifically, each port has its own USB host controller. You should be able to run 8 capture cards on this card but you'd need a USB hub for each pair since there are only 4 ports. I haven't looked for one that has more so I'm unsure if they exist.

Doesn't have to be that product specifically. I added an extra USB host controller on my laptop by replacing the WiFi card with this (and some adapters...): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWFJMTS5

Another option is using a Raspberry Pi 5 with cc3dsfs to run multiple DS capture cards + an HDMI capture card. Idk how to set up the Pi for this, but I have seen it.

when I comment on their posts asking how they got the USB to work I get ignored or down voted on reddit. I just want to know how to make them actually work so I can actually shiny hunt.

Competition? Can't imagine shiny hunting streams make much money to be worth being secretive.